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Report: Arsenal send scouts to watch Andrija Zivkovic in action for Benfica on Saturday

Andrija Zivkovic of FC Partizan Belgrade celebrates the goal during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg match between FC Pa...
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Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing the Benfica ace in the summer.

Serbia's midfielder Sasa Lukic (L) and Spain's midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal and Serbia's midfielder Andrija Zivkovic vie for the ball during the UEFA U-21 European Championship Group B...

The Gunners sent scouts to watch Andrija Zivkovic in action for Benfica at the weekend, according to Portuguese media outlet O Jogo.

Arsenal have already spent heavily this season, most notably by bringing in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for a club record £60 million.

It seems as though Arsene Wenger is not finished with his squad overhaul just yet, however.

O Jogo claim that the the north London outfit sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action during Benfica’s 5-1 win over Rio Ave on Saturday.

Serbia's midfielder Andrija Zivkovic (L) and Spain's defender Jose Gaya vie for the ball during the UEFA U-21 European Championship Group B football match Serbia v Spain in Bydgoszcz,...

What would Zivkovic bring to Arsenal though?

The 21-year-old is incredibly versatile, and can operate all across the midfield, although he is at his best when deployed in a more advanced role.

He is technically gifted, and possesses impeccably tight ball control – two prerequisites for an Arsene Wenger signing.

Zivkovic is small in stature, however. Standing at just under 5ft 7in, it is debatable whether he would be able to handle the robust nature of the Premier League.

Benfica's Serbian forward Andrija Zivkovic (C) celebrates a goal with teammates Benfica's defender Andre Almeida (R) and Benfica's Greek midfielder Andreas Samaris during the Portuguese...

Wenger has brought many players into Arsenal who are small in stature throughout the years, however, none more prominent than Santi Cazorla.

And maybe the Frenchman sees Zivkovic as the ideal long-term replacement for the diminutive Spaniard.

The Serbia international has a release clause worth £52.5 million inserted into his contract with Benfica, according to Portuguese publication Record, and that would represent a massive risk for someone so young and unproven in the English game.

With this in mind, and in spite of the Benfica ace’s undoubted potential, the Gunners might just be best served in avoiding a move for him, for the time being at least.